Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo received the Order of Prince Henry, a top honour awarded by the Portuguese government on Monday.

According to a statement by the President’s office, the 28-year-old deserves the recognition for being a worldwide symbol of Portugal.

While the Ballon D’Or, the Golden Boot or the Players’ Player of the Year awards are the gongs footballers strive for, players have often collected non-sporting accolades or titles for their work on and off the pitch. Here are some of them…

The Roman hero was awarded an Italian knighthood in 2000. Gianluca Zambrotta has also received this accolade.

Leading from the front: Roma captain Francesco Totti (centre) received an Italian knighthood in 2000

GEORGE HARKUS- MBE

The Southampton defender was awarded this honour in 1949 for, ‘Keeping up the morale in the forces whilst stationed in the Middle East’, while serving as a flight lieutenant in the Second World War.

DAVID BECKHAM - GQ Most Stylish Man of the Year

The man who is as much a brand as a footballer was finally recognised in 2012... for his fashion sense. OK, so it’s not quite a knighthood, but that’s all in good time.

Brains and beauty: Former PSG teammates David Beckham (left) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) have both been recognised by their countries for non-footballing reasons

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC- Swedish Literary Award nomination

The PSG striker’s memoir, I am Zlatan, has recently been nominated for literary brilliance in his homeland. With insightful nuggets such as: ‘I’ve done 325 km an hour in my Porsche Turbo and left the cops eating my dust,’ how can he fail to win?

JOHN TERRY - Dad of the Year:

In 2009, the Chelsea star beat Peter Andre in a poll to find Britain’s best celebrity dad. The following year, the affair with Vanessa Perroncel – ex-girlfriend of his former team-mate Wayne Bridge – was revealed and his public image went down the drain.

In 2007, the Hartlepool United stalwart who had made 232
consecutive league appearances, was invited to Buckingham Palace as part
of a select group to have made a ‘significant contribution to local and
national life’.

GARTH CROOKS- OBE

The former Spurs striker turned commentator was awarded this honour in 2009 for services to punditry.

Up in arms: Footballer turned pundit Garth Crooks in his playing days (left centre) and with his OBE (right)